Swinney praises NHS in £4m budget boost

ACCESSING THE RIGHT CARE FROM THE RIGHT PLACE

- KAIYA MARJORIBANKS

First Minister John Swinney praised the work of local healthcare staff during a visit to NHS Forth Valley's Hospital at Home Service.

During the visit he also announced additional investment to expand the service across Scotland, including £4.4m for NHS Forth Valley.

This will be used to expand the Hospital at Home service further as well as develop local heart failure, respiratory and Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) services to help more people remain at home and still access the specialist care they require.

It will also support wider measures to further expand local frailty services and reduce the number of patients who experience delays in being discharged from hospital.

The 'Hospital at Home' service predominantly provides care for frail, older people in their own homes and who may be suffering with acute illnesses and health conditions, including respiratory and cardiac conditions, infections, or require treatment after a fall.

Keeping patients in their own homes ensures they can stay in familiar surroundings rather than be separated from family, friends and pets while also helping to reduce some of the risks associated with hospital admissions such as increased risk of catching infections.